Shoe-lace clasp



1 (No Model.)

O. S. AUGENSEN.

SHOE L'AGB CLASP.

No. 569,398. Patented Oct. 13, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAYS SEVERIN AUGENSEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHOE-LACE CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,398, dated October 13, 1896.

Application filed June 29. 1896. Serial No- 597,440. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LOnAus SEVERIN AUGEN- SEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Lace Clasps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Myinvention relates to a novel construction in a shoe-lace clasp, the object being to provide an ornamental device of this description which is adapted to contain the knot of the bow usually tied in shoe-laces and hold the same against becoming undone.

My invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upperportion of a shoe and showinga clasp constructed in accordance with my invention applied to the knot of the bow in the lace. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a clasp constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 3 and showing the position of the knot therein.

Referring now to said drawings, A indicates a clasp constructed in accordance with my invention and consisting of two members,

an upper member 1 and a lower member 2.

Said upper member 1 resembles the head and back of a turtle, while said lower member 2 is flat and resembles the flat portion of the shell of the turtle. Said lower member 2 is pivoted to said upper member 1 at a point 3 at the lower end of the reduced forward end portion 4, corresponding to the head of the turtle. Said lower member 2 is reduced at its forward end so as to fit within said portion 4: and is bent upwardly and folded over above the pivot to form a spring-tongue 5, by means of which said members 1 and 2 are held in their relative positions. A tongue 0 extends outwardly from said pivot and forms a finger-piece which by pressing it toward the head causes said clasp to open. Owing to the fact that said spring-tongue 5 limits the upward movement of said lower member it is sufficient that the pin 7, upon which it is fulcrumed, should be only partially surrounded by the reduced portion of said lower member below said spring-tongue 5. A slight depression Sin said portion 4 of said member 1 affords a projection against which said spring-tongue 5 abuts to hold said members 1 and 2 against each other to clasp the same. Said member 1 is provided with openings 9 on each side thereof, through which the loops and ends of the bow extend. The knot of the bow is contained in the concave portion of said member 1, and to permit said clasp to close when the knot is larger than can be contained in said member 1 an opening 10 is provided in said member 2, through which it can extend.

Said clasp is applied by inserting the member 2 between the knot of the bow and the shoe, the member 1 extending over the knot. By pressing said member 1 toward said member 2 until the spring-tongue 5 has passed the depression 8 the clasp is closed over the knot and holds the same against becoming undone.

To release the clasp, the reduced forward end portion of the member 2and the portion 4 of the member 1 are held between the thumb and first finger and pressed together.

I claim as my invention- 1. A shoe-clasp comprising 'two members, a concave member 1 and a member-2 pivoted thereto, openings in the sides of said member 1, and an opening in the middle portion of said member 2.

2. A shoe-lace clasp comprising a member 1 provided with a reduced end portion, having a depression, a member 2 pivoted to said member 1, and a spring-tongue on said member 2 adapted to engage said depression in said member 1.

3. A shoe-lace clasp comprising a concave member 1 provided with openings at its sides and a reduced end portion provided with a depression, a member2 pivoted to said member 1 and provided with an opening at its middle portion, and a spring-tongue on said member 2 adapted to engage said depression in said reduced portion of said member 1.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OLAUS SEVERIN AUGENSEN.

Witnesses:

JOHN SPENCER, E. M. MARIE AUGENSEN. 

